Dirigible torpedo.



No. 767,492. r 1 7 PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904. I D. W. MUGAUGHEY. DIRIGIBLE TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED APR so 1902 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

no MODEL- PATENTED AUG. 16, '1904.

DLW. 'MOCAUGHEY. DIRIGIBLE TORPEDO. APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1N0 MODEL.

mz g M UNITE STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

pPATENT FFICE.

DIRIG|BLE TORPEDO.

SPEGIFIGATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 767,492, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed April 30, 1902.

To all whom, it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, DAVID WILEY Mc- CAUGHEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dirigible Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification,

This invention relates to that class of torpedoes which is provided with self-contained mechanism by which the movements thereof,

contained being constructed in such a manner as to beoperated directly and controlled by such operator from the shore by means of what are known to the science as electrical oscillations or Hertz electric waves.

The invention consists, further and finally, in the features, combinations, and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing my improved devices as they appear when used in connection with the torpedo; Fig. 2, a plan sectional view of one form of torpedo as it appears when constructed in accordance withthese improvements; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the same, partly in section; Fig. 4, an enlarged drawing ofthe coherers shown inFig. 1, as will be more fully hereinafter explained; Fig. 5 a diagrammatic view of what is known as a Righi oscillator, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of a resonator-globe and the method of projecting same above the torpedo. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the reversible motor mechanism.

In the art to which this invention relates it Serial No. 105,414. (No model.)

well known that it is highly desirable to provide a simple means by which an explosive torpedo may be launched from the shore or from a vessel and directed toward a givenv mark and exploded by contact therewith. To accomplish this result, various devices and expcdientshave been used, some of which givemore or less satisfaction and all of which contain objections which render their use somewhat undesirable. This invention is therefore designed principally to overcome as many objections of the prior art as possible and to provide a simple, economical, and eflicient torpedo which may be controlled from the shore without the use 'of any connecting wire or line whatever, said torpedo being controlled by means of electric waves or vibrations passing through the air or other materials (without metallic connection) from a mechanism located on the shore to a mechanism located on the torpedo, the mechanism located on the torpedo being constructed in such a manner as to operate a switch in such way as to cut in or out of the electric circuit any desired motor located on the torpedo and by means of which the operator is enabled to control the movements of the torpedo, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

InFig. 1, A is an ordinary Ruhmkorif induction-coil, though a Hertz machine may be used in place thereof.

B is a battery which supplies current to the 7 primary circuit.

C is an ordinary fulminating pane-condenser, which acts as a series of Leyden jars in the induced circuit.

D is a dummy switch; E, an electric battery; F, a magnet which operates the dummy switch D when the current from E passes, as hereinafter more fully explained.

G is a switchboard; H, an electric battery; I, a magnet which operates the switch Gr when the current from H passes through I, as here inafter more fully explained.

K is an electric motor whose armature is connected with the propeller shaft 1, (see Fig. 3,) thereby operating the propeller 2 (see Figs. 2 and 3) when K is energized.

M is an electric motor whose armature is connected directly with the shaft 3, upon which is attached a worm which works in and operates a worm-wheel 4. (See Fig; 2.) This worm-wheel 4 is afiixed upon a shaft 5, -upon which is also affixed worm 6, which works in and operates worm-wheel 7. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) The worm-wheel 7 is affixed upon a rudder-post 8, and the motor M is constructed in such a manner that its armature will revolve to the right or to the left, as may be desired, its direction depending upon the direction of the current which actuates it. It is therefore apparent that the operator by simply reversing the direction of the current which actuates motor M can swing the rudder A either to the right or to the left. The method of reversing the direction of the current which actuates motor M will be hereinafter more fully described.

In Fig. 1 suppose the operator presses down the key 10 into contact with button 11. Primary current will then fiow from the battery B, through wire 92, key 10, button'll, wire 12, primary coil A, and from thence by wire 13 back to the battery B. At the instant the connection is made in the primary current by pressing down key 10 a secondary or induced current is generated in the coil A, and the metallic balls 14 and 15 are arranged in such a manner that the secondary current will pass from the coil A through post 16 and wire 17 to the condenser C, thence through wire 18, through the air-space between the metallic balls 15 and 14, thence through wire 19 back to post 20, and thence to the induction-coil A. Globe 15 is connected, through wires 18 and 89, with the ground at 90, and globe 14 is connected, through wires 19 and 91, with the metallic globe or field 92, which should be elevated some distance above 14, the height of its elevation depending upon the distance to which the electric waves thrown out from the oscillator are to be sent, as hereinafter explained. The balls 14 and 15 form what is commonly called an oscillator, the action of which will be hereinafter more fully explained. When the key 10 is released, thus breaking the primary circuit, an induced current will pass over the circuit last above described, but in the opposite direction. The intervening space between 14 and 15 is adjusted in such a manner that when the key 10 is pressed down upon button 11 the secondary current will pass, as above described, and will cause an electric spark to pass between 15 and 14.

In Fig. 1, N and O are what are known to the science as coherers, and I prefer the following method of construction, namely: N is a small glass tube in which are two metallic balls 21 and 22, separated from each other by a short space, which intervening space is filled with metallic, preferably nickel or silver, filings 23. The balls 21 and 22 are connected, respectively, with the wires 123 and 24, and the ends of the tubes are sealed, the air first having been exhausted, so as to prevent the oxidation of the metallic filings. O is constructed in exactly the same manner as N, the balls 124 and corresponding with the balls 21 and 22, respectively, and the metallic filings 26 corresponding with the filings 23 of N. Globe 22 is connected, through wire 24, with the ground at 71, and globe 21 is connected, through wire 123, with a metallic field, preferably a globe 29. Globe 25 is connected, through wire 28, with the ground at 32, and globe 124 is connected, through wire 27, with a metallic field, preferably a globe 30. The me tallic fields 29 and should be elevated some distance above the coherers N and 0, respectively, such elevation depending upon the distance of the coherer from the oscillator. The current which tends to flow from battery E is adjusted by means of rheostat P in such a manner that its strength is j ustinsufficient to cause a current to flow between the balls 21 and 22 on account of the resistance presented by the metallic filings 23. The current which tends to fiow from battery H is adjusted by means of rheostat S in such a manner that the currentis just insufficient to break down the electric resistance presented by metallic filings 26 between the balls 124 and 25. Now it is well known that in a mechanism constructed as I above when the primary circuit throughAis closed or broken, thereby generating an induced or secondary current, as above described, the electric spark which passes between said oscillator-balls 14 and 15 will cause what are known as Hertz or electric waves to radiate from said balls to a very great distance, which waves, striking upon the respective fields 29 and 30, pass through wires 123 and 27, respectively, to the coherers N and 0, respectively, thus destroying the electric equilibrium of 29 and 30 and causing a feeble electric current to flow from 29 and 30,'respectively, through N andO, respectively, and thence through wires 24 and 28, respectively, to the ground, and thence back to the oscillator. The passage of these currents, which I choose to call wave-currents, breaks down the resistance presented by the metallic filings 23 and 26, causing such filings to cohere, and thereby allow an electric current to fiow from battery E through wire 31, rheostat P, wire 99, magnet F, energizing it, thence through wire 32 and wire 24, knob 22, metallic filings 23 to knob 21, thence through wires 123 and 33 back to the battery E. In a similar manner the waves from the metallic balls 14 and 15 will cause a current to flow from battery H through the coherer 0. When once the resistance presented by the metallic filings 23 and 26 of the coherers N and 0 (see Figs. 1 and 4) has been broken down in the manner above described, said metallic filings 23 and 26 will remain conductors, and the current from the batteries E and H will continue to flow in the manner above described through the respective coherers N and O, and

thus energize the respective magnets F and I, respectively, until the conductivity of said filings 23 and 26 in their, respective coherers is again destroyed. When, however, the coherers are given a sharp tap or jar, the electric filings 23 and 26 will be mechanically acted upon and shaken apart, with the result that said filings again become sufiicientl'y nonconducting to prevent the passage of the current through the respective coherers from E and H. When the electric spark passes be-- tween the balls 14 and 15 in the manner above described, the electric waves pass along or through the wires 27 and 28 and act upon the coherer O in such a manner as to cause the filings 26 to cohere one to the other, and thus break down the resistance presented to the passage of the current from H. The resistance presented by the coherer O being now destroyedby the action of the electric waves, as above describecLthe currentwill flow from the battery H and energize the magnet I in the same manner as magnet F was energized by current from battery E, as hereinbefore described. .When I is energized, it attracts to its core its armature 34, thus operating the armature-lever 35, which turns upon thepivot 36 and to which is attached the pawl 37 which works in and operates the ratchet-wheel 38. When the'armature 34 isattracted in the manner above described, the ratchet-wheel 38 is moved in a step-by-step manner. The lever 39, which turns upon the pivot 40, is constructed and placed ,in such a manner that it is operated by the ratchet-wheel 38, as follows: When the ratchet-wheel 38 is moved by the pawl 37, one of its teeth for instance, 41 (see Fig. 1)-will contact with one end of said lever 39 in such a 'manner as to cause it to trip it, thus raising or drawing back the knob 42 (see Fig. 1) from contact with the coherer 0. As soon as the armature 34, however, comes in contact with the core of magnet'I the ratchet-wheel 38 is constructed in such a manner that it releases the lever 39 from tooth 41, and then the spring 43 instantly draws the lever 39 back to its normal position, and knob 42, acting as a hammer, strikes sharply against the coherer O, thus jarring the metallic filings 26 sufficiently to destroy their cohesion, thus instantly reestablishing sufficient electrical resistance therein to prevent the passage of the current from H through said coherer 0. As soon as themagnet I is deenergized spring 91 will draw lever 35 back into its normal position, as represented in Fig. 1. The switch G will now remain motionless and in the position last above described until the resistance presented by the metallic filings in the coherer 0 is again broken down by another electric wave from the oscillator-balls 14 and 15. It will therefore be seen that by the operation of the key 10 in making and breaking the primary circuit through A the operator can cause the switch G to be moved .in a step-by-step manner, as above described, the same as though the magnet I, which operates the ratchetwheel 38, were actuated by the making and breaking of an ordinary metallic electric circuit.

The switch G consists of a, number of segments of three concentric circles, the arrangement and use of which will be more fully hereinafter explained. p

I will now explain the method of using this mechanism for the purpose of cutting in and. out of circuit the desired motor on the torpedo and of operating the same.

T is a source of electric energy, preferably a storage battery located on the torpedo. -N ow I when the switch G'is in the position shown 1 When the current passes through the motor 7 K, it actuates it in such a manner as to propel the boat in the desired direction. Nowif the operator desires to move the rudder 9 to the right he accomplishes his purpose by vibrating the key 10, which moves, as above described, operating the ratchet-wheel 38 in a step-by-step vmanner until the conductingbrush 47 comes in contact with the segment 52 of the switch. Now let us suppose that the conducting-brush 47 is in contact with segment 52. The current will then flow from battery T through wire 44, pivot 45, arm 46, brush 47, segment 52, wire 53, wire 54 to mosegment 57, thence through conducting-brush 58 to segment 59, thence through wire 60 and wire 50 to motor K, and thence through wire 51' back to th e battery T. This current I choose to tor M, thence through wire 55, wire 56 to I call a direct current, and the motor M is constructed in such a manner that when the current passes through it in the direction last above described it is actuated in such a manner as to cause its armature to revolve in such a direction as to turn the rudder to the right.

Now suppose it is desired to turn the rudder 9 v a to the left the switch G is again operated in a stepby-step manner, as hereinbefore described, until the conducting-brush 47 is in contact with segment 61 of the switch, at 1 which time conducting-brush 58 will be in r contact with segments 62 and 63, respectively,

of the switch, The current will then flow from the battery through wire 44, pivot 45,

arm 46, brush 47 to segment 61, thence through 7 wire 55 to'motor M, thence through wire 54 to segment 62, thence through'brush 58 to'segment 63, thence through wire 50 to motor K,

and thence through wire 51 back to the battery. It will be noted that the current in the circuit last above described passesthrough the motor, M in an opposite direction to the first-described current which passes through said motor M. The motor M is constructed in such a manner that when the direction of the current which actuates it is reversed the direction in which its armature revolves will be reversed, and the armature will now revolve in a direction to turn the rudder to the left. sired to propel the boat forward without moving the rudder in either direction, the ratchetwheel 38 is operated, as above described, until the brush 47 is in contact with segment 48, as represented in Fig. 1, in which position the motor M is entirely out out of circuit. When the operator desires to stop the motion of the torpedo entirely, he operates the ratchetwheel 38 until the brushes 47 and 48 are out of contact with all of the switch-segments above described that is, when they rest in the blank non-conducting field of the switch G between the ends of segments 48 and 52, as represented in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, Dis a dummy switch which is operated by the magnet F in a manner similar to that in which switch G is operated by magnet I. The ratchetwheel 64 corresponds with the ratchet-wheel 88, armature-lever 65 corresponds with lever 35 of the switch, tripping-lever 66 corresponds with the trippinglever 39 of switch G, spring 167 corresponds with spring 43, spring 93 corresponds with spring 91 of switch G, and the hammer 68, whichstrikes the coherer N, corresponds with hammer 42, which strikes the coherer O. The coherers N and O are acted upon by the same waves and in the same manner, although they are widely separated in distance, A, I), and N being located on the shore and close to each other, whereas the switch G and coherer O are located on the torpedo and may be a great distance from N. The dummy switch or indicator D is operated synchronously with switch G, and its segments 67, 68, and 69 correspond in position with the segments 48, 61, and 52 of G, respectively, and the position of lever 70 always corresponds with the arm 46 of the switch Gr, thus enabling the operator to always determine the exact position of the lever 46, and therefore to know which motor or motors the current is operating and in which direction the rudder is being turned. The metallic field 30 is placed on the top of a rod or post 77, extending above the torpedo, (see Fig. 3,) through which the wire 27 passes to the coherer O, which is located within the torpedo. The wire 28 contacts with the water at 32, thus grounding the wave-circuit.

In Fig. 1 I have used the simplest form of oscillator for producing the electric waves. The arrangement of the globes or knobs 14 and 15 is what is known as the simplest form of Hertz oscillator. Inasmuch, however, as the atmosphere between 14 and 15 forms a dielectric the resistance of which is too easily broken down, I prefer in actual practice to use what is known at the Righi oscillator.

When it is de-' (See Fig. 5.) In the Righi oscillator the globes 14 and 15 are separated a greater distance from each other, and between them is inserted an insulating tube, preferably of glass or ebonite 7 3, Fig. 5. In the ends of the tube 73 are affixedtwo polished metallic balls 74 and 75, separated a short distance from each other, the intervening space 76, Fig. 5, being filled with oil, preferably mineral or vaselene oil. 14 and 15 are connected with wires 19 and 18,respectively,and through them with induction-coil A, just as represented in Fig. 1. When the primary circuit through A is closed, the spark will pass through the Righi oscillator between the balls 14 and 15 through the balls 74 and 7 5. The passage of this spark causes electric waves or oscillations to be set up between 75 and 74 through the medium of the oil in space 76, which, owing to the passage of the spark,has become for the instant a conductor. The oil,however, presents a greater resistance to the passage of the spark than the atmosphere, and thus the difference of potential between the spheres 14 and 15 will be greater before the passage of the spark through the Righi oscillator than through the Hertz oscillator, as represented in Fig. 1. The advantage of using the Righi oscillator is that the length of the electric waves is greatly shortened. The quantity of energy that is stored up in the spheres 74 and 75 before the passage of the spark is proportioned to the difference of potential to which they are raised before the discharge,and hence the electric oscillations produced by the Righi oscillator will be much more energetic and of greater amplitude than those produced by the Hertz oscillator. (Represented in Fig. 1.)

In Fig. 6, represents a portion of the walls of an ordinary torpedo-tube,to be located on any desired vessel, inclosing the torpedo ready to be discharged. 79 represents a portion of the outer and upper wall of the torpedo which is inclosed within 80. In order to construct the torpedo so that it can be discharged from an ordinary torpedo-tube, I place the globe 30 upon a rod 77 (see Fig. 6) and insert the same in a tube 78, which extends from the upper part of the walls of the torpedo 79 down into the interior of the torpedo. On the bottom of rod 79 is a disk 81. To the upper portion of the wall 78 is attached one end of a coil-spring 82, the lower end of said spring being afiixed to the disk 81. When'the torpedo is inserted in the tube, as shown in Fig. 6, the globe 30 is pressed down into the tube 78. hen, however, the torpedo is discharged from the tube, the globe 30 will be released and the spring 82 will contract and draw the disk 81 up against the pin 83, thus elevating 30 the required distance above the torpedo to enable it to be affected by the electric waves set up by the oscillator, as hereinbefore described.

Reversible motors are well known and in IIO ' illustrated diagrammatically a reversible motor mechanism, including a switch 130, such as I employ and which may be said to con stitute a portion of such motor mechanism.

, I-will now describe the manner of reversing the motion of the armatures of the mo tor M.

, 100 is a soft-iron wire-wound magnet, and 101 is a permanently-magnetized portion of a pivoted armature-bar 102, energized and placed adjacent tosuch magnet in such a manner that its pole nearest the magnet will be attracted thereby whenever such magnet is energized by a direct current and will be repelled thereby whenever the magnet is energized .by an inverse current. Then the parts are in the. position shown in Fig. 7, with the electric current flowing from battery through wire 55, (see Fig. 1,) thence around magnet 100,*energizing it, armature 101 will.

be attracted and drawn down into contact with magnet 100, as shown'in Fig. 7. The current will then flow from magnet 100, through wire 104, thence through pivoted armature-bar 102 to contact-post 105 and through same, thence ,through contact-spring 106, thence through wire 107, and around field-magnet 108, ener-' 'gizing it, thence through wire 109 and around field-magnet 110, energizing same, thence through wire 111, contact-spring 112, post 113, post 114, spring 115, wire 116, to and around armature magnets 117, energizing same, thence through wire 54, (see also Fig. 1,) and thence back to battery, as hereinbefore described. The armature and field magnets of motor M are wound in such a manner as to cause the armature 117 to revolve in a given direction, as from left to right, when actuated by a direct current, thus causing the rudder 9 (see Figs. 2 and 3) to turn from left to right, as hereinbefore described. Now if it be desired to cause rudder 9 to turn from right to left the dummy switch D (see Fig. 1) is operated by means of key 10, as hereinbefore described, so that its arm contacts segments 68 of dummy switch D, at which time brush 47 will be in contact with segment 61 and brush 58 will contact and connect segments 62 and 63 of switch G, (see Fig. 1,) as hereinbefore described. The current will now flow around magnet 100 in such a direction as to cause it torepel armature-bar magnet 101 until the armature-bar 102 impinges against pin 127, in which position posts 118, 123, and 124 will be in contact with springs 119,122, and 125, respectively, and contact between posts 105, 113, and 114 and springs 106 112 115, respectively, will be broken: The current will now flow from battery through wire 54, Figs. 1 and 7, thence around armature-magnets 117, energizing same, thence through wire 116, wire 126, spring 125, metallically-connected posts 124 and 123, spring 122, wire 121, wire 107, thence around fieldmagnet 108, energizing same, thence through wire 109, thence around magnet 110, energizing same, thence through Wire's 111 and 120 to spring 119, thence through post 118, bar 102, wire 104, magnet 100, energizing same, as hereinbefore described, thence through wire 55. and back to battery in manner hereinbefore described. It will be seen that the inverse current passes around the armature- 'magnets 117 in an opposite direction to the armature 117 will be reversed when the direction of the actuating-current is reversed, as hereinbefore suggested. Posts 105 and 118, Fig. 7, are so adjusted with reference to springs 106 and 119, respectively, that while magnet 101 is moving between magnet 100 and pin 127, as hereinbefore described, there is an instant of time when each of said posts is in contact with its respective spring, and in like manner there is an instant of time when posts 113 and 114 are in contact with springs 112 and 115, respectively, and posts 123 and 124 will respectively also be in contact with springs 122 and 125. These periods of double contacts, however, last but for an instant, for when movable armature-bar 102 comes to rest, either by impinging upon pin 127 or by magnet'lOl impinging against magnet 100, there will be a contact between the respective posts and springs on one side only of movable bar 102. Posts 113 and 114 and posts 123 and 124 are respectively insulated from bar 102.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a reversible motor M, (shown in Fig. 1,) including the switch mechanism, by means of which the direction of rotation of such motor is reversed and which switch mechanism may therefore be said to be an essential part of an ordinary reversible motor mechanism. It will be understood, of course, that this or any ordinary and well-known form of reversible motor and combination of a reversible electric motor to operate a movable part on the torpedo, an electromagnetically-operated switch to cut the motor into and out of circuit with the source of energy, an electric oscillator at an operating-station for generating electric waves or impulses, and a coherer on the torpedo arranged to be acted upon by the electric waves and electrically connected with the switch-operating mechanism to operate the same, substantially as described.

2. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism, a source of electrical energy carried upon the torpedo, an electromagnetically operated switch mechanism for cutting either of said motors in or out of circuit with said source of energy, and means for generating and transmitting electric waves or impulses through the air from an electric oscillator located at an operating-station to operate said switch, substantially as described.

3. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller and ruddermechanism, an electric motor for operating the propeller mechanism, a reversible electric motor for operating the rudder mechanism, a source of electric energy in such torpedo, an electromagnetically-operated switch to connect one or both of said motors with such source of electric energy, and means for the generation of electric waves or currents located at an opcrating-station to operate the electromagnetic mechanism of the switch without metallic connection between the torpedo and such operating-station, substantially as described.

4. In a torpedo of the class described, the

combination of propelling mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propelling mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism, asource of electrical energy carried upon the torpedo, a switch for cutting either of said motors in or out of said electric circuit with the source of energy, and meanssuch as an electric oscillator for generating electric waves or impulses at an operating-station and transmitting them through the intervening air to operate said switch, substantially as described.

5. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propelling mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propelling mechanism, asecond motor connected with the rudder mechanism and constructed so that the direction of its revolution is reversed when the direction of the electric current which actuates it is reversed, asource of electrical energy carried upon the torpedo which supplies an electric current to actuate said motors, a switch for cutting either of said motors in or out of said electric circuit, and

an electric oscillator for generating electric waves or impulses and transmitting them from an operating-station through the intervening air to operate such switch, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, a motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a motor connected with such rudder mechanism, an electric circuit arranged to embrace a source of energy and both of such motors, an electromagnetically-operated switch for electrically connecting such motors in series and arranged between the same so that the switch operates to throw either one or both of such motors into and out of circuit with the source of energy, and an electric oscillator in an operating-station for generating electric waves or impulses and transmitting them through the air to operate said switch, substantially as described.

'7. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, a motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected with such rudder mechanism, an electric circuit embracing both of such motors and a source of energy, an electromagnetically-operated switch to connect the source of energy with both of such motors or with the propeller-motor alone, and an electric oscillator for generating electric waves or impulses at an operating-station and transmitting the same through the air to operate said switch, substantially as described,

8. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism, an electric circuit embracing both ,of such motors and a source of energy, a switch electrically connecting with both of such motors to throw them into and out of circuit with the source of energy, electromagnetic mechanism for operating such switch, a coherer for making and breaking the circuit which energizes and deenergizes the electromagnetic switchoperating mechanism arranged to be actuated by electric waves transmitted through the air from an oscillator located at an operating-station, hammer mechanism to strike the coherer and arrest the fiowof the current therethrough, an oscillator located at the operating-station for generating electric waves and transmitting them through the air to act upon the coherer, a source of electric supply of suflicient electromotive force and intensity in circuit with the oscillator and to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last-named electric circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

9. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder re'miez mechanism,,an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism, electric conducting-wires connecting both of such motors together, a source of currentsupply on the torpedo, a switch electrically connecting both of such rnotors to throw them into and outof electric circuit, electromag neti'c mechanism for operating such switch arranged'to be actuated by an electric current. supplied from a source of electric energylocated upon the torpedo; a coherer on the torpedo for making and breaking the electric circuit which includes the electromagnetic switch-operatingmechanism arranged to be actuated by electric waves transmitted through the air from an oscillator located at an operating-station, an oscillator located at the operating-station for generating electric waves and transmitting them throughthe air to act upon the coherer on the torpedo, a source of electric supply of sufficient electromotive force andintensity' in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breakingthe last-named electriccircuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described. i

10. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propellermechanism, an electric motor connected with therudder mechanism, an electric circuit embracing both of such motors together and a source of current-supply on the torpedo, a switch electrically connected with both of such motors to throw them into and outof electric circuit, electromagnetic mechanism for operating such switch arranged to be actuated by an electric current supplied from a'source of electric energy located upon the torpedo; a coherer on the torpedo for making and breaking the electric circuit which energizes and deenergizes the electromagnetic'switch mechanism, a hammer to strike upon the coherer and arrest the flow of the current therethrough, electromagnetic mechanism toactuate the hammer, an oscillator located at'the operating-station from which electric waves are generated and transmitted through the air to act upon the coherer and cause an electric current to flow therethrough, a source of electric supply of sufficient electromotive force and intensity incircuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, means for making and breaking such last-named electric circuit, a dummy switch or indicator located on the shore and set synchronously with the switch on the torpedo and arranged .to be operated bymeans of an electric current,

and a second coherer in circuit with the dummy switch to make and break its electric circuit simultaneously with the making and breaking of the'circuitfwhich operates the switch 'mechanism on the torpedo, substantially as described.

11. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism,'an electric motor 2 connected with the rudder mechanism, an

electric circuit embracing both of such motors and a source of electrical energy located on the torpedo, a switch electrically connected with both of such motors and the source ofand breaking the electric circuit which energizes and deenergizes the electromagnetic mechanism, an oscillator located at the operating-station for generating andtransmitting electric waves through the air to act upon the coher'eron the torpedo, a source of electric supply of sufiicient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, means for making and breaking the last-named elecsynchronously with the switch on the torpedo and arranged in a second electric circuit, and a second coherer for making and breaking the dummy-switch circuit simultaneouslywith the making and breaking of the circuit of the switch-operating mechanism of the torpedo, substantially as described. a

12. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder .mechanism, "an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a motor connected with the rudder mechanism arranged to be reversed with the reversal of the-direction of the actuating-current, a source of currentsupply in the torpedo, an electromagnetically operated switch electrically connected withsuch motors in series and with the propellervmotor alone to throw the same into or out of circuit with the source of current-supply, electromagnetlc mechan1sm for operating such switch and actuated by an-electric current sup plied from asource of electrical energy located upon the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking the circuit which energizes and .tric circuit to cause such sparking. a dummy SWltCh or indicator located on the shore set lOO deenergizes the electromagnetic switch mechanism and acted upon by electric waves transmitted through the air from an oscillator located at an operating-station, electromagnetically-actuatedhammer mechanism arranged to strike the coherer to arrest the flow of the current therethrough, an oscillator located at the operating-station for generating and transmitting electric Waves through the air to act 'upon the coherer and cause current to flow therethrough, a source of electric supply of sufficient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the balls of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last-named circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

13. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second motor connected with the rudder mechanism arranged to be rotated in either direction according to the direction of current-supply, a source of electric energy on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with successive sets of conducting-segments, one set of such segments being electrically connected with and connecting both of such motors in series and another set of such segments electrically connected with the propelling-motor alone, a switch-lever arranged to pass over such segments and electrically connect them with the source of electric supply located on the torpedo, electromagnetic mechanism for operating such switch-lever in a step-by-step manner and actuatable by current supplied from the source of electrical energy located on the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking the circuit which energizes and d'eenergizes the electromagnetic mechanism and acted upon by electric waves transmitted thereto from an oscillator located at an operating-station, a source of electric supply of sufiicient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last-named circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

14;. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second motor connected with the rudder mechanism provided with means whereby its direction of rotation is reversed when the direction of current is reversed, a source of electric energy on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with successive sets of concentric electric conducting-segments, one set of such segments electrically connected with both 01 such motors in series and another set of such segments electrically connected with the progelling-motor alone, a switch-lever with electric conductingbrushes arranged to pass over such segments and successively and electrically connect them with the source of electric supply located on the torpedo, electromagnetic mechanism for rotating such switch-lever and brushes in a step-by-step manner and actuatable by an electric current supplied from the source of electrical energy located on the torpedo, acoherer for making and breaking the circuit which energizes and deenergizes the electromagnetic mechanism and actuated by electric waves transmitted through the air from an oscillator located at an operating-station, a

source of electric supply of sulficient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last-named electric circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

15. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism, a source of current-supply on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with successive sets of concentric conducting-segments, one set of such segments electrically connected with both of such motors in series and another set of such segments electrically connected .with the propelling-motor alone, a switch-lever provided with electric conducting-brushes arranged to pass over such segments and successively connect them with the source of electric supply located on the torpedo, electromagnetic mechanism for operating such switch-lever and brushes in a step-by-step manner and actuatable by an electricicurrent supplied from the source of electrical energy located on the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking the electric circuit which includes the electromagnetic switch mechanism and acted upon by electric waves transmitted from an oscillator located at an operating-station, electrically-actuatable hammer mechan ism arranged to strike the coherer and arrest the flow of current therethrough, an oscillator located at the operating-station for generating and transmitting electric waves or im pulses through the air to act upon the coherer, a source of electric supply of suificient in tensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, means for making and breaking the last-named electric circuit to cause such sparking, a dummy or indicating switch located at the operating-station set synchronously with the switch on the torpedo, a circuit including the electromagnetic mechanism to operate the dummy switch, and a second coherer to make and break the dummy-switch circuit simultaneously with the making and breaking of the main'switch on the torpedo, substantially as described.

16. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism, a source of electric energy on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with conducting concentric switch-segments, means electrically connecting one set of such switch-segments with both of the electric motors, means electrically connecting another set of such switchsegments with the propellermotor alone, a step-by-step operatable switch-lever having electrically-conducting brushes to suclIO cessively contactoneof'the sets of conducting switch-segments and be out of electrical contact with the other sets of switch-segments to connect such motorsthrough such successive sets of switch-segments with the source of electrical energy located on the torpedo, ratchet-and-pawl mechanism for operating the switch-lever and brushes in a step-by-step manner, electromagnetic mechanism for opcrating the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism actu atable by current supplied from the source of electric energy on the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking the electric circuit which I energizes and deenergizes the electromagnetic mechanism, hammer mechanism to strike the cohererto arrest the flow of electrlc current therethrough, a circuit including electromagnetic device to operate the hammer, an oscillator located at an operating-station by which electric waves or impulses are generated and transmitted through-the air to act upon the coherer, a source of electric-current supply of sufficient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means 'for making and breaking the last-named electric circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

17 In a torpedo of the class described,-the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second electric motor connected withthe rudder mechanism, a source of electric energy on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with conducting concentric switch-segments, means electrically connecting one setof such switch-segments with both of the electric motors,means electrically connecting another set of such conducting switch-segments with the propeller-motor alone, a step-by-step operatable switch-lever having electric conducting-brushes to suecessively contact one of (the sets of conducting switch-segments and be out of electrical contact with the other sets of switch-segments to connect such motors through such successive sets of switch-segments with the source of electric energy located on the torpedo, ratchet-and-pawl mechanism for operating the switch-lever and brushes in a step-by-step ply of suflicient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to'pass between the knobs ofthe oscillator, means for making and breaking the last-named electric circuit to cause such sparking, a dummy or indicating switch at the operating-station, electromagnetic actuating devices forsuch dummy switch, a second source of electric energy therewith, and a second coherer in circuit with the magnetic devices of the dummy. switch and their source of electric energy arranged to make and break such circuit simultaneously with the making and breaking of the switch-circuit on the torpedo, substantially as described.

18. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism .and constructed to have the rotation of its armature reversed as the direction of its acuating-current is reversed, a source of currentsupply on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with concentric circles of conducting switch-segments, means electrically connecting one set of such segments in said circles with both of the electric motors and in such manner as to cause the motor connected with the rudder mechanism to turn the rudder to the right, means electrically connecting another set of such conducting switch-segments with both of the electric motors in such manner as to cause the motor connected with the rudder mechanism to turn the rudder to the left, means electrically connecting another set of conducting switch-segments withthe propeller-motor 'alone, an operating switch-lever connectedwith the source of current-supply provided with conducting brushes to suecessively contact one of the sets of conducting switch-segments and to be out of electrical contact with the other sets of switchsegments, ratchet-and pawl mechanism for operating the switch-lever and brushes in a stepby-stepmanner, electromagnetic mechanism for operating the ratchet and pawl mechanism actuatable by the electric current supplied from the source of electric energy locatedupon the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking the electric circuit which energizes and deenergizes such electromagnetic mechanism, hammer mechanism arranged to a strike the coherer to arrest the flow of electric current therethrough, an oscillator 10- cated'at an operating-station for generating and transmitting electric waves orimpulses through the air to act upon the coherer and cause a current to flow therethrough, a source of electric-current supply of sufiicient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last-named electric circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

19. In a torpedo of the class described, the

combination of propeller'mechani'sm, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism and provided with means whereby the rotation of its armature is reversed as the direction of its actuating-current is reversed, a source of electric energy on the torpedo, a step-by-step switch provided with concentric circles of electrically conducting switch-segments, means electrically connecting one set of such switch-segments with both of the electric motors and in such manner as to cause the motor connected with the rudder mechanism to turn the rudder to the right, means electrically connecting another set of such con- I ducting switch-segments with both 'of the electric motors in such manner as to cause the motor connected with the rudder mechanism to turn the rudder to the left, means electrically connecting another set of conducting switch-segments with the propellermotor alone, an operating switch-lever connected with the source of electric energy and having conducting-brushes to contact one of the sets of conducting switch-segments and be out of contact with the other sets of switchsegments, ratchet-and-pawl mechanism for operating the switch-lever and brushes in a step-by-step manner, electromagnetic mechanism for operating the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism and actuatable by current supplied from the source of electric energy on the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking'the electric circuit which energizes and deenergizes the electromagneticmechanism, hammer mechanism arranged to strike the coherer and arrest the flow of electric current therethrough, an oscillator located at an operating-station for generating and transmitting electric waves and impulses through the air to act upon the coherer, a source of electric-current supply of suflicient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an elec tric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last electric circuit to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

20. In a torpedo of the class described, the combination of propeller mechanism, rudder mechanism, an electric motor connected with the propeller mechanism, a second electric motor connected with the rudder mechanism and provided with means whereby the rotation of its armature is reversed as the direction of its actuating-current is reversed, a

source'of electric energy on the torpedo, a

step-by-step switch provided with concentric circles of electrically-conducting switch-segments, means electrically connecting one set of such switch-segments with both of the electric motors and in such manner as to cause the motor connected with the rudder mechanism to turn the rudder to the right while the torpedo is being propelled forward, means electrically connecting another set of such switch-segments with both of the electric motors and in such manner as to cause the motor connected with the rudder mechanism to turn the rudder to the left while the torpedo is being propelled backward, means electricallyconnecting another set of such switchsegments with the propeller-motor alone and in such manner as to cause the torpedo to be propelled forward, means electrically connecting another set of such switch-segments with the propeller-motor alone and in such manner as to cause the torpedo to be propelled backward, an operating switch-lever connected with the source of current-supply and having conducting-brushes to successively I contact one of the sets of conducting switchsegments and to be out of electrical contact with the other sets of switch-segments, ratchetand-pawl mechanism for operating the switchlever and brushes in a step-by-step mannerelectromagnetic mechanism for operating the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism and actuatable by current supplied from the source of electric energy located on the torpedo, a coherer for making and breaking the electric circuit which energizes and denergizes the electromagnetic mechanism and acted upon by electric waves transmitted through the air from an oscillator located at an operating-station, hammer mechanism arranged to strike the coherer to arrest the flow of electric current therethrough, an oscillator located at an operating station and outside of the torpedo for generating and transmitting electrical waves through the air to act upon the coherer, a second source of electric energy of sufiicient intensity in circuit with the oscillator to cause an electric spark to pass between the knobs of the oscillator, and means for making and breaking the last-named electric current to cause such sparking, substantially as described.

DAVID WILEY MCCAUGHEY.

Witnesses:

THoMAs F. SHERIDAN, HARRY IRWIN CROMER. 

